“Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends.” -Maya Angelou

Monday, January 30, 2012

FS Community Support Strikes Again

I'll post more of an update on this later, but I just wanted to write a short note of gratitude to all of you.

As many of you know, my mother suffered a brain aneurysm this week, resulting in a major surgery to clip it. I was lucky to be able to fly home and be here for her and my family during the surgery. While there were complications, the surgery was successful, and, after a tough couple of days in ICU, Mom is waking up and walking and talking and slowly but steadily getting back to her healthy self. The prognosis is a full recovery. We've been blessed with an incredibly competent surgical and medical care team.

What has helped me out considerably this week is the support I've received from family and friends across the world, including many, many FS community members. Few people have ever met my mom, but that doesn't matter, especially in our lifestyle. Everyone has had to deal with family medical emergencies, and everyone knows how much more difficult being overseas can make things. And so everyone unquestioningly supports others going through ordeals, virtually and in real life. Countless others can attest to this too, and have done so on their own blogs.

Here's just one example. While I was sitting in the surgical waiting room on Friday, the hours ticking by, waiting to hear news from the surgeon, I happened to read a post by Alex at Travel Orders that hit a nerve. Alex and her family have been dealing with their own ordeal, which also appears to have a happy ending in sight. Her post, though, was saying everything I was thinking and feeling about family emergencies in the FS and whether and what to share. It was like magic. I wrote a comment on this post, which hinted at my mom's surgery, and within a couple minutes I had an email in my inbox from Alex, who I've never met in person, offering support and an outlet to talk. Which I didn't know I needed until that moment.

The million other emails, messages, FB likes and comments, shared stories, and phone calls have been similarly comforting and much appreciated, not just by me but our whole family. So a million thank yous to Alex and all of you. The FS community never fails to amaze me. And around here, things are looking very, very positive.

Aww... I'm glad I could help in whatever small way! You're totally right, it's so helpful to know other people understand what you're going through. Medical emergencies are scary enough, but uprooting your whole life and flying around the world to deal with them, and knowing a whole bunch of administrative hurdles await your return... well, that's a whole special scenario most people just can't understand. But the important thing is it sounds like everything will be okay with your mom. So glad to hear that!

Sadie, so sorry to hear about everything your mom has been through, but very happy that she has a spectacular medical team and you and family by her side. Will keep her continued recovery in prayer. Take care of yourself too.

So sorry to hear this happened to to your mom but I am glad she is doing well now and the doctors think she will recover fully. I am sure she and the rest of your family appreciate your being able to fly home and be by her side. Best!